The Marine Forces Reserve
(MARFORRES or MFR) (also known as
the United States Marine Corps Reserve
(USMCR) is the reserve force of the United States Marine Corps.
It is the largest command in the U.S. Marine Corps.

The mission of Marine Forces Reserve is to augment and reinforce
active Marine forces in time of war, national emergency or
contingency operations, provide personnel and operational tempo
relief for the active forces in peacetime, and provide service to
the community (for example, through Toys for Tots).

MARFORRES comprises two groups of Marines and Sailors. The
first, known as the Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR), are
Marines who belong to reserve units and drill one weekend a month
and two weeks a year. The second group is known as the Individual Ready Reserve
(IRR). The IRR is composed of Marines who have finished their
active duty or USMCR obligations, however their names remain on the
books to be called up in case of a war or other emergency -- the
Individual Ready Reserve is administered by the Marine Corps Mobilization
Command. IRR Marines participate in annual musters to
check in with the Corps.[1]
Reserve Marines are equipped and trained to the same standards as
active Marine forces.

Enlistment

Enlistment in the Marine Forces Reserve occurs through a process
similar to that for enlistment in the regular active Marine Corps.
Recruits must take the ASVAB, pass a comprehensive physical exam,
and be sworn in. They may enter through a billet in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP).
Reserve Recruits attend Marine Corps Recruit Training along with
active duty recruits, claiming the title United States Marine upon successful
completion of the training. They then have a mandatory leave of 10
days (up to 24 if they volunteer for and are assigned to
recruiter's assistance) before further training at the School of
Infantry (SOI) and their designated Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Only
after completing the training program(s) does a Reserve Marine's
enlistment begin to differ from that of an active duty Marine.

There is a program called the Select Reserve Incentive Program
(SRIP), which provides enlistment bonuses for Reservists enlisting
for needed MOSs. Half is payable upon completion of training and
the other half is spread out over the term of enlistment.

Service

Reserve Marines enlist for eight-year terms. There are three
options on how these terms may be served, one of which is
designated upon enlistment.

6x2 - Under this option the Reservist spends 6 years in active
drill and fulfills the remaining two in Individual Ready Reserve
(IRR). This is the only option which makes Reservists eligible for
the benefits of the Montgomery GI
Bill, and is also the most common.

5x3 - Under this option the Reservist spends 5 years in active
drill and fulfills the remaining three in Individual Ready Reserve
(IRR).

4x4 - Under this option the Reservist spends 4 years in active
drill and fulfills the remaining four in Individual Ready Reserve
(IRR).

After serving several years in the Reserves and attaining
leadership rank it is possible for an enlisted Reservist to receive
a commission through the Reserve Enlisted Commissioning Program
(RECP)[4].